Diocese's first permanent deacons reach 25-year mark

BETTY ANN WEBER | FLORIDA CATHOLIC CORRESPONDENT

Published: 10.05.07

Deacon James Campbell, 80, receives applause Sept. 9 in recognition of his 25 years as a deacon from Sts. Peter and Paul parishioners, and canonical administrator Father Derk Schudde, left.
VALETA ORLANDO | FC

ORLANDO | They were the class of '82. Thirteen men, sent forth by their pastors at the behest of their bishop into unexplored territory, the first men in the Orlando Diocese to answer a biblical calling made new: restoration of the permanent diaconate.

"They were giants," said Deacon Bob Kinsey, permanent diaconate program coordinator, “stepping forward in faith with no job descriptions. Our heroes. Real pioneers; they led the way.

"And wives were totally involved," he added, "attending all classes."

Ground had been broken by the Second Vatican Council. Then in 1967, Pope Paul VI proclaimed in his apostolic letter the restoration of deacons to the permanent order of clergy of the Catholic Church.

Today, 25 years after their ordination, only three of the original 13 remain in active ministry: Deacon Don Boland of Titusville, Deacon James Campbell of Orlando and Deacon Chester DeMarsh of DeLand.

"Years ago," said Miami-born Deacon Boland, 80, "my wife Christine and I were among five couples singled out by our St. Teresa pastor in Titusville, Father Eamon Tobin, to form a core prayer group. Later, he told us about a pastoral diocesan ministry program and suggested we get involved. Two years into our studies, he announced formation classes for the restored permanent diaconate. Bishop Thomas Grady requested recommendations for candidates and Father Tobin tapped me."

Deacon Boland, a Titusville contractor and father of six who invested 28 years on the diocesan building committee, had doubts.

"On my way to the first meeting — I couldn’t miss Mass — I stopped at Good Shepherd in Orlando," he said. "There, on that day, the Holy Spirit came alive within me. My whole life changed. God was calling me."

Former coordinator of the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults, Deacon Boland is now assisting in the program. And there’s a new wrinkle. "I love gardening," he said. "I’ve dug up 100 pounds of my sweet potatoes this year, packed them in five-pound bags and delivered them to church for distribution."

Deacon James Campbell, 80, father of seven, was born in Lima, Ohio, and met his wife, Helen, in Washington, D.C., when she was working for the FBI and he was serving his 20 years in the Navy. "Even then, I felt Christ’s presence," he said. "But it wasn’t until a Cursillo (a Christian renewal retreat), that I was drawn to church work."

The family moved to Orlando in 1975 where Deacon Campbell was a computer programmer and analyst for the city. "I taught catechism at Sts. Peter and Paul in Winter Park," he said, "until Father John Mitzi steered me toward the diaconate."

Deacon Campbell’s spirit is bright, though admittedly he "sometimes can’t remember things." A victim of Parkinson’s disease and a stroke, the man who baptized nearly 1,000 babies and spent years devoted to the jail ministry has curtailed some activities. But he remains faithful to Monday duties — conducting morning and evening devotions to Mary. "God called," he affirmed, "and I wandered in."

Deacon Chester DeMarsh of St. Peter Parish in DeLand and Prince of Peace Parish in Ormond Beach was born in Butler County, Pa., and moved to Florida in 1972. He and wife, Eleanor Jane, are proud parents of 10 children and have 27 grandchildren. They built a house large enough to hold 27 people. "We don’t need much of an excuse to get together," he said.

The owner of movie theaters in Pennsylvania and DeLand — now run by his sons — Deacon DeMarsh remembers, "When I was teaching RCIA at St. Peter, my pastor, Father Joseph Nolin, encouraged me to become a deacon. It was a family decision, involving sacrifice. Everyone had to be involved."

He, too, suffers from Parkinson’s. "What I’ve liked best about serving as a deacon," he said, "is listening to people, helping them. RCIA has been an important part of my life. And being qualified to witness the marriages of three of my daughters was quite a gift. But I couldn’t have accomplished all I’ve done without the encouragement of my wife."

Deacon DeMarsh was invited to preach at the St. Peter Parish’s Mass in celebration of the 25th anniversary of his ordination. The subject? "My family — my walk with Jesus Christ and with them."

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